SEMI-RIGID PROTECTIVE CASE AND METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME

Abstract

A protective case comprising a rigid or substantially rigid exterior which is preferably divided into a lid section and a base section pivotally joined together with one or more hinge mechanisms is disclosed. A divided first layer of material is preferably joined in continuous contact with the interior of the lid section and the interior of the base section so that no empty space or dead space exists between portions of the first layer of material contacting the lid section and portions of the first layer contacting the base section. A divided second layer of material is preferably joined in continuous contact with the first layer of material so that no empty space or dead space exists between the second layer of material and both portions of the first layer of material contacting the lid section and the base section.

Description

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to, co-pending U.S. Non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/222,606 filed Mar. 22, 2014, and entitled “SEMI-RIGID PROTECTIVE CASE AND METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME” which in turn claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/804,736 filed Mar. 24, 2013, and entitled “SEMI-RIGID IMPACT CASE AND METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME”. The entire contents of the above-referenced patent applications are incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of protective cases. More specifically, the invention relates to protective cases for use with different electronic devices.

BACKGROUND

Since the early 2000s there has been an influx of portable electronic devices, more commonly referred to as portable cellular phones, smart phones, small computers, and the like that are designed with a proportionally large glass viewing screen and interface areas. With technology advancing at great leaps and bounds, the internal components of these devices are decreasing in size thus making portable electronic devices very thin in design.

Since the invention of portable electronic devices, there has also been a need for carrying cases and protective cases for the portable electronic devices. These cases are made from a wide range of material including hard plastics, soft plastics, metal alloys, wood, rubber, silicone, and leather. These cases are configured to conform tightly around the devices and preferably with one or more openings at appropriate locations for operation of the device, connections for external communications, speaker openings, power supply connections, as well as head phone connections.

Unfortunately, if the user happens to drop the portable electronic device, the glass interface may break or other damage may occur even if the device is in a carrying case or protective case due to the thin nature of prior art case. Once damaged, the user can expect to spend a significant amount of time and money to get the portable electronic device's screen replaced or other damage repaired.

Additionally, cases in the prior art are only configure to secure an electronic device and are unable to secure other related items such as extra power supplies, power cords, power adapters, and the like. Further to this end, these prior art cases are unable to secure and protect documents, writing instruments, and other similar items. These cases are also limited or unable to protect electronic devices, related items, documents, writing instruments, and other similar items from moisture, dirt, atmosphere, and other contaminants.

Therefore, a need exists for novel protective cases that are able to protect devices and objects from damage such as scratches, chips, and breakage to the glass interface and other surfaces. There is a further need for protective cases that are able to secure other related items such as extra power supplies, power cords, power adapters, and the like. An additional need exists for protective cases that are able to secure and protect documents, writing instruments, and other similar items. Finally there exists a need protective cases that are able to protect electronic devices, related items, documents, writing instruments, and other similar items from moisture, dirt, atmosphere, and other contaminants.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is one aspect of the present invention to provide novel protective cases that are able to protect devices and objects from damage such as scratches, chips, and breakage to the glass interface and other surfaces. Another object of the present invention is to provide protective cases that are able to secure other related items such as extra power supplies, power cords, power adapters, and the like. An additional object of the present invention is to provide for protective cases that are able to secure and protect documents, writing instruments, and other similar items. It is a further object of the present invention to provide protective cases that are able to protect electronic devices, related items, documents, writing instruments, and other similar items from moisture, dirt, atmosphere, and other contaminants.

In some preferred embodiments, a protective case comprising a rigid or substantially rigid exterior which is preferably divided into a lid section 11 and a base section 12. The lid section 11 and the base section 12 may be pivotally joined together with one or more hinge mechanisms 13. A divided first layer of material is preferably joined in continuous contact with the interior of the lid section 11 and the interior of the base section 12 so that no empty space or dead space exists between portions of the first layer of material contacting the lid section 11 and portions of the first layer contacting the base section 12. A divided second layer of material is preferably joined in continuous contact with the first layer of material so that no empty space or dead space exists between the second layer of material and both portions of the first layer of material contacting the lid section 11 and the base section 12. In further embodiments, an accessory case may be temporarily attached to a protective case with a bayonet style mount or other attachment method. In yet further embodiments, a folder holder may be temporarily attached to a protective case or an accessory case.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as an example and are not limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references may indicate similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a top perspective view of the front of a closed example of a protective case according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the back of a closed example of a protective case according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an open example of a protective case according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 4 depicts an elevation view of an example of an accessory case and a folder holder secured to a protective case according to various alternative embodiments described herein.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of an example of a bayonet style mount comprising a points of male attachment engaged to a points of female attachment according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of an example of a points of male attachment according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of an example of a points of female attachment according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a closed example of an accessory case comprising a points of male attachment according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a closed example of a protective case comprising a points of female attachment according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 10 depicts a perspective view of an example of a folder holder secured to a protective case according to various embodiments described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

In describing the invention, it will be understood that a number of techniques and steps are disclosed. Each of these has individual benefit and each can also be used in conjunction with one or more, or in some cases all, of the other disclosed techniques. Accordingly, for the sake of clarity, this description will refrain from repeating every possible combination of the individual steps in an unnecessary fashion. Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read with the understanding that such combinations are entirely within the scope of the invention and the claims.

New protective cases and methods are discussed herein. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be evident, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.

The present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated by the figures or description below.

The present invention will now be described by example and through referencing the appended figures representing preferred and alternative embodiments. FIG. 1 depicts a top perspective view of the front of a closed example of a protective case 100, while FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the back of a closed example of a protective case 100 according to various embodiments described herein. The protective case 100 may comprise a rigid or substantially rigid exterior which is preferably divided into two sections which may generally be considered a top or lid section 11 and a bottom or base section 12. In this embodiment, the lid section 11 and the base section 12, when closed and joined together may be configured in a generally rectangular prism shape. In other embodiments, the lid section 11 and the base section 12, when closed and joined together may be configured in a generally cube, triangular prism, hexagonal prism, tetrahedron, square pyramid, cone, sphere, or any other 3D geometric shapes including combinations of shapes.

The lid section 11 preferably comprises a lid sidewall 11A that extends away from each side of the lid planar surface 11B in a generally perpendicular direction. In this example, the lid planar surface 11B is generally rectangular in shape with the lid sidewall 11A joined to all four sides of the lid planar surface 11B. In a similar manner, the base section 12 preferably comprises a base sidewall 12A extends away from each side of the base planar surface 12B in a generally perpendicular direction. In this example, the base planar surface 12B is generally rectangular in shape with the base sidewall 12A joined to all four sides of the base planar surface 12B.

In preferred embodiments, the lid sidewall 11A, lid planar surface 11B, base side wall 12A, and/or the base planar surface 12B may be made from rigid or substantially rigid materials such as Kydex, Vikalloy, carbon fiber, metal alloys, ABS plastic, other plastics, hard rubber, ceramics, resins, or any other similar durable materials including combinations of materials. Also in preferred embodiments, the lid sidewall 11A may be joined to the lid planar surface 11B and the base side wall 12A may be joined to the base planar surface 12B by being integrally molded or formed together, chemically bonded, heat bonded, or otherwise joined so that the lid sidewall 11A and the lid planar surface 11B form a single lid section 11, while the base side wall 12A and the base planar surface 12B form a single base section 12.

When the protective case 100 is closed, the lid sidewall 11A and the base side wall 12A are configured to seal together to prevent moisture, dirt, and atmosphere from entering the protective case 100. The lid sidewall 11A and the base side wall 12A may be configured with a gasket, lip and groove, or other method capable of sealing the two together.

In some embodiments, the lid section 11 and the base section 12 may be pivotally joined together along one edge of a lid sidewall 11A and a complementary edge of a base sidewall 12A with one or more hinge mechanisms 13 as shown in FIG. 2. In other embodiments, the lid section 11 and the base section 12 may be pivotally joined together along one edge of a lid planar surface 11B and base planar surface 12B with one or more hinge mechanisms 13. A hinge mechanism 13 may comprise one of a plurality of hinge types such as a butt hinge, butterfly hinge, flush hinge, barrel hinge, concealed hinge, continuous hinge, T-hinge, strap hinge, double-acting hinge, Soss hinge, a flexible material hinge, or any other type or style of hinge. Also, more than one type of hinge may be used to pivotally join the lid section 11 and the base section 12 including hinges that may be disassembled an reassembled allowing the lid section 11 and the base section 12 to be temporarily separated.

Additionally, the lid section 11 and the base section 12 may be temporarily joined together with one or more latch mechanisms 14. In some embodiments, a latch mechanism 14 may be permanently and pivotally joined to the base section 12 and temporarily joined to the lid section 11. In other embodiments, a latch mechanism 14 may be permanently and pivotally joined to the lid section 11 and temporarily joined to the base section 12. Permanent and pivotally joining may be with a butt hinge, butterfly hinge, flush hinge, barrel hinge, concealed hinge, continuous hinge, T-hinge, strap hinge, double-acting hinge, Soss hinge, a flexible material hinge, or any other type or style of hinge. Temporary joining may be with a clasp type connection method, combination lock type connection method, push-to-lock type connection method, a turn-to-lock type connection method, or any other suitable temporary connection method as one reasonably skilled in the art could envision to serve the same function.

The lid section 11 and/or the base section 12 may comprise a handle 15. In this embodiment, the lid section 11 and the base section 12 each comprise a handle 15 and when the protective case 100 is in the closed position, the two handles 15 may optionally nest together or rest against each other and function as a single handle. In other embodiments, one or more handles 15 may be positioned anywhere on the lid section 11 and/or the base section 12 allowing a user to grip a handle and transport the protective case 100 with one or more hands. In further embodiments, one or more shoulder or hand straps may be positioned anywhere on the lid section 11 and/or the base section 12 allowing a user to grip a strap and transport the protective case 100 with one or more hands or by placing the strap over their shoulder.

A strap or handle 15 may be made from durable materials such as hard plastics, metal alloys, wood, hard rubbers, carbon fiber, fiber glass, resins, polymers or any other suitable materials including combinations of materials. Additionally, a strap or handle 15 may be made from or comprise durable and slightly flexible materials such as soft plastics, fabrics, leather, silicone, soft rubbers, or any other suitable materials including combinations of materials.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an open example of a protective case 100 according to some embodiments described herein. The interior of protective case 100 comprises two or more layers of materials. A first layer of material is preferably in continuous contact with the interior of the lid section 11 and the interior of the base section 12 so that no empty space or dead space exists between portions of the first layer of material contacting the lid section 11 and portions of the first layer contacting the base section 12. The first layer of material is divided so that a first portion is contacting and secured to the lid section 11, while a second portion is contacting and secured to the base section 12 allowing the first and second portions to be separated when the protective case 100 is opened.

In some embodiments, the first layer of material may be substantially permanently joined to the lid section 11 and base section 12 with heat bonding, chemical bonding, adhesives, fasteners or any other suitable joining method capable of securing portions of the first layer of material to the lid section 11 and the base section 12. In other embodiments, the first layer of material may be temporarily joined to the lid section 11 and base section 12 by being press fit together, by one or more fasteners such as Velcro, clips, clasps, and the like, or any other temporary joining method allowing the first layer of material to be temporarily secured to the lid section 11 and base section 12.

The first layer of material may be made from an elastomer material such as impact absorbing foams, ARTiLAGE artificial cartilage foam, Poron XRD foam, other ARTiLAGE foams, other Poron foams, silicone foams, rubber foams, plastic foams, or other elastomer materials such as elastic plastics, elastic silicone, elastic rubbers, silicone rubbers, or any other suitable elastomer material. In some preferred embodiments, the first layer of material is solid in nature with no empty or dead space within its interior. In other preferred embodiments, the first layer of elastomer material may not be solid in nature and may optionally comprise textures such as ridges and grooves, and/or structures such as honey comb like pockets, spherical pockets, or any other empty or dead space, including a plurality of such spaces, within its interior and along exterior surfaces not in contact with the lid section 11 or base section 12. In further preferred embodiments in which the first layer comprises one or more empty or dead spaces, various gases, liquids, gels, foams or other compressible materials may be positioned within the empty or dead spaces.

A second layer of material is preferably in continuous contact with the first layer of material so that no empty space or dead space exists between the second layer of material and both portions of the first layer of material contacting the lid section 11 and the base section 12. The second layer is also divided so that a first portion is contacting and secured to the first layer of material joined to the lid section 11, while a second portion is contacting and secured to the first layer of material joined to the base section 12 allowing the first and second portions of the second layer to be separated when the protective case 100 is opened.

In some embodiments, the second layer of material may be substantially permanently joined to the first layer with heat bonding, chemical bonding, adhesives, fasteners or any other suitable joining method capable of securing portions of the second layer of material to the first layer of material. In other embodiments, the second layer of material may be temporarily joined to the first layer of material by being press fit together, by one or more fasteners such as Velcro, clips, clasps, and the like, or any other temporary joining method allowing the second layer of material to be temporarily secured to the first layer of material.

The second layer of material may be made from an elastomer material such as elastic plastics, elastic silicone, Smooth-on Eco flex silicone, Smooth-on Dragon skin silicone, Smooth-on Mold star silicone, elastic rubbers, silicone rubbers, impact gels or other elastomer materials such as impact absorbing foams, Artilage foams, Poron foams, silicone foams, rubber foams, plastic foams, or any other suitable elastomer material. In some preferred embodiments, the second layer of material is solid in nature with no empty or dead space within its interior. In other preferred embodiments, the second layer of elastomer material may not be solid in nature and may optionally comprise textures such as ridges and grooves, and/or structures such as honey comb like pockets, spherical pockets, or any other empty or dead space, including a plurality of such spaces, within its interior and along exterior surfaces not in contact with the first layer of material. In further preferred embodiments in which the second layer comprises one or more empty or dead spaces, various gases, liquids, gels, foams or other compressible materials may be positioned within the empty or dead spaces.

In preferred embodiments, the second layer of material may be configured to contact and secure any object including an electronic device such as a laptop computer, tablet computer, or other devices comprising electronic circuitry, and further including items that do not comprise electronic circuitry such as tools, books, weapons, art, artifacts, or any other object including a plurality of objects. The second layer of material is preferably configured to contact exterior surfaces of objects that are placed within the protective case 100 by being configured with one or more recesses 16 with dimensions substantially identical and complementary to the exterior dimensions of an object placed in contact with the second layer of material allowing an object to be press fit into a recess 16. As depicted in FIG. 3, a recess 16 is positioned in the second layer of material in the lid section 11, and a complementary recess 16 is positioned in the second layer of material in the base section 12. An object may be placed in the protective case 100 and secured in the recesses 16 when the lid section 12 is closed on the base section 12

Also in preferred embodiments, the second layer of material is of a substantially uniform thickness so that recesses 16 of a complementary shape are congruently positioned in the first layer of material to receive one or more recesses 16 in the second layer of material. The one or more recesses 16 in the second layer of material, and therefore the first layer of material, may be preferably configured to secure one or more objects positioned centrally in the interior of the protective case 100. An object may be secured within a recess 16 by being press fit into the recess 16, or with clip fasteners, straps, or any other suitable method of securing an object within a recess 16.

The depth or thickness of the lid section 11, base section 12, first layer of material, and second layer of material may be increased to provide greater protection to objects placed within the protective case 100, or decreased to decrease the weight of the protective case 100 and to lessen the protection to objects placed within its interior. In some embodiments, the lid section 11, base section 12, first layer of material, and/or second layer of material may each be between 0.05 inches and 5.0 inches in thickness.

Turning now to FIG. 4 an elevation view of an example of an accessory case 200 attached to a protective case 100 wherein the protective case 100 comprises two alternative embodiments of a latch mechanism 14 according to various embodiments described herein is depicted.

In this embodiment, the latch mechanism 14 may comprise a stationary latch anchor 14A, joined to the lid section 11, and a movable latch retainer 14B, joined to the base section 12. The latch anchor 14A and the latch retainer 14B may each comprise a magnet configured to secure the latch retainer 14B in a generally adjacently aligned position relative to the latch anchor 14A as shown in the enlarged view. When the latch retainer 14B is in a generally adjacently aligned position relative to the latch anchor 14A, the lid section 11 may be secured to the base section 12 by the attraction of the magnets and/or by a portion of the latch retainer 14B physically engaging with the latch anchor 14A with a catch or other similar method. By sliding the latch retainer to a right retainer position 24A, left retainer position 24B, and/or a lower retainer position 24C, the magnets may be moved apart thereby terminating magnetic securement and/or physical engagement between the lid section 11 and the base section 12 and allowing them to separate.

In other embodiments, one or more latch anchors 14A may be placed on the base section 12, and optionally on an accessory lid section 211 and/or an accessory base section 212 of an accessory case 200. In further embodiments, one or more latch retainers 14A may be placed on the lid section 11, and optionally on an accessory lid section 211 and/or an accessory base section 212 of an accessory case 200.

Still referring to FIG. 4, in regards to the modular design of the protective case 100, a user may temporarily attach one or more accessory cases 200 and/or folder holders 400 onto the protective case 100. An accessory case 200 may be similar to a protective case 100 by comprising an accessory lid section 211 and an accessory base section 212 in addition to a first layer or material and/or a second layer of material. These may be made from the same materials, configured, and joined together in a like manner as the lid section 11, the base section 12, the first layer of material and/or the second layer of material of the protective case 100.

An accessory case 200 may be configured to secure any object including an electronic device such as a battery pack, power cord, power converter, cellular phone, laptop computer, tablet computer, or other devices comprising electronic circuitry, and further including items that do not comprise electronic circuitry such as tools, books, weapons, art, artifacts, or any other object including a plurality of objects within its interior.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of an example of a bayonet style mount 300 comprising a points of male attachment 310 engaged to a points of female attachment 320 according to various embodiments described herein. In preferred embodiments, an accessory case 200 may be temporarily attached to a protective case 100 by way of a bayonet style amount 300. The bayonet style mount 300 may comprise a points of male attachment 310 and a points of female attachment 320.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of an example of a points of male attachment 310 according to various embodiments described herein. In this embodiment, the points of male attachment 310 comprises a base plate 311, six male locking tabs 312, and three base plate tabs 313 all of which may be made from hard plastics, metal alloys, wood, hard rubbers, or any other suitable substantially rigid material. The base plate 311, male locking tabs 312, and base plate tabs 313 may be integrally formed or molded together, heat bonded, chemically bonded, adhesively joined, or joined with any other suitable joining method. In other embodiments, the points of male attachment 310 may comprise one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, or more base plates 311, male locking tabs 312, and/or base plate tabs 313.

The base plate 311 and/or the base plate tabs 313 may be joined to the exterior of a protective case 100 (FIGS. 1-4) or to the exterior of an accessory case 200 (FIG. 4) by being integrally formed or molded together, heat bonded, chemically bonded, adhesively joined, or joined with any other suitable joining method. The male locking tabs 311 are preferable not in contact with the exterior of a protective case 100 (FIGS. 1-4) or to the exterior of an accessory case 200 (FIG. 4) may be configured to accept and secure one or more female locking tabs 322 (FIGS. 5 and 7) positioned between a male locking tab 311 and the exterior of a protective case 100 (FIGS. 1-4) or the exterior of an accessory case 200 (FIG. 4).

FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of an example of a points of female attachment 320 according to various embodiments described herein. In this embodiment, the points of female attachment 320 comprises a base ring 321 and three female locking tabs 322 which may be made from hard plastics, metal alloys, wood, hard rubbers, or any other suitable substantially rigid material. The base ring 321 and female locking tabs 322 may be integrally formed or molded together, heat bonded, chemically bonded, adhesively joined, or joined with any other suitable joining method. In other embodiments, the points of female attachment 320 may comprise one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, or more base rings 321 and female locking tabs 322.

The base ring 321 may be joined to the exterior of a protective case 100 (FIGS. 1-4) or to the exterior of an accessory case 200 (FIG. 4) by being integrally formed or molded together, heat bonded, chemically bonded, adhesively joined, or joined with any other suitable joining method. The female locking tabs 322 are preferably configured to not be in contact with the exterior of a protective case 100 (FIGS. 1-4) or with the exterior of an accessory case 200 (FIG. 4), and may be configured to accept and secure one or more male locking tabs 311 (FIGS. 5 and 6) positioned between a female locking tab 322 and the exterior of a protective case 100 (FIGS. 1-4) or the exterior of an accessory case 200 (FIG. 4).

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a closed example of an accessory case 200 comprising a points of male attachment 310 according to various embodiments described herein, while FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a closed example of a protective case 100 comprising a points of female attachment 320 according to various embodiments described herein. In other embodiments, a points of male attachment 310 may be attached to a protective case 100 and a points of female attachment 320 may be attached to an accessory case 200. In further embodiments, an accessory case 200 and a protective case 100 may each comprise one, two, three, or more points of male attachments 310 and/or points of female attachments 320. Points of male attachments 310 and points of female attachments 320 may be attached to accessory cases 200 and protective cases 100 by being integrally formed or molded together, heat bonded, chemically bonded, adhesively joined, or joined with any other suitable joining method.

An accessory case 200 may be temporarily attached to a protective case 100 by engaging a points of male attachment 310 (FIGS. 5, 6, and 8) attached to one case with a points of female attachment 320 (FIGS. 5, 7, and 9) attached to the other case. For example, the accessory case 200, depicted in FIG. 8, may be placed on the protective case 100, depicted in FIG. 9, so that the accessory case 200 is approximately 120 degrees rotated relative to the protective case with the respective points of male attachment 310 contacting the respective points of female attachment 320. By rotating the accessory case 200 approximately 120 degrees relative to the protective case 100, the male locking tabs 312 (FIG. 8) will engage and secure to the female locking tabs 322 (FIG. 7), thereby securing the accessory case 200 to the protective case 100 as depicted in FIG. 4. Accordingly in this example, an accessory case 200 attached to a protective case 100 may be rotated approximately 120 degrees relative to the protective case 100 resulting in the male locking tabs 312 (FIG. 8) disengaging from the female locking tabs 322 (FIG. 7), thereby allowing the accessory case 200 to be separated from the protective case 100 as depicted in FIGS. 8 and 9.

In alternative embodiments, the bayonet style mount 300 (FIG. 5) may be fashioned in the form of a threaded screw type connection method, a push-to-lock type connection method, a turn-to-lock type connection method, slide-to-lock type connection method, or any other suitable temporary connection method as one reasonably skilled in the art could envision to serve the same function and secure one or more accessory cases 200 (FIGS. 4 and 8) to a protective case 100 (FIGS. 1-4, and 9).

In further embodiments, a protective case 100 (FIGS. 1-4, and 9) may be configured to only to fit a sensitive electronic device or other object. Any other items such as a power supply, papers and folders, pens and office supplies or additional devices such as a mouse may be housed in one of several modular add-on accessory cases 200 (FIGS. 4 and 8). One or more accessory cases 200 may be attached by way of a bayonet style mount 300, the other by tension mounts (rubber stretched and attached in mounting grooves). Additional accessory cases 200 may be affixed to a shoulder strap or to the lid side wall 11A and/or base side wall 12A (FIGS. 1-3) of the protective case 100.

Referring now to FIG. 10, in some embodiments, one or more accessories such as a folder holder 400 may be attached to the exterior of the protective case 100. In some embodiments, one or more folder holders 400 may be optionally stored inside of a protective case 100 or inside of an accessory case 200 (FIGS. 4 and 8) while not in use, and removed and attached to the exterior of a protective case 100 or accessory case 200 (FIGS. 4 and 8) when desired.

In preferred embodiments, the folder holder 400 may be attached to the exterior of the protective case 100 or accessory case 200 (FIGS. 4 and 8) with one or more stretchable support bands 411 which may be positioned at the four corners of the folder holder 400, or anywhere else on the folder holder 400 and attached to one or more eyelets 500, rings, loopholes, fasteners, or other similar anchor points which may be attached to the exterior of the protective case 100 or accessory case 200 (FIGS. 4 and 8). The eyelets 500 may be made from plastics, metal alloys, or any other suitable substantially rigid material including combinations of materials and attached to the exterior of the protective case 100 or accessory case 200 (FIGS. 4 and 8) by being integrally formed or molded together, heat bonded, chemically bonded, adhesively joined, or joined with any other suitable joining method.

In some embodiments, the folder holder may be attached to a protective case 100 or accessory case 200 (FIGS. 4 and 8) by attaching a points of male attachment 310 (FIGS. 5, 6, and 8) on the folder holder 400 to a points of female attachment 320 (FIGS. 5, 7, and 9) on the protective case 100. In other embodiments, the points of male 310 attachment (FIGS. 5, 6, and 8) may be on the protective case 100, while the points of female attachment 320 (FIGS. 5, 7, and 9) may be on the folder holder 400. The folder holder 400 may comprise gusseted or accordion style sides which are configured to expand allowing the user to place items such as notebooks files or folders inside thereby protecting them from liquids, dirt, dust, and other contaminants.

In this and preferred embodiments, the folder holder 400 may comprise an upper flap 412 which is preferably configured to fold over the opening on the folder holder 400 that grants access to its interior thereby protecting items located in the interior of the folder holder 400 from contaminants or from inadvertently falling out of the interior. The folder holder 400 may be constructed of rip stop fabric or fabric similar such as neoprene, plastic, silicone, or any other flexible and preferably waterproof material.

Although the present invention has been illustrated and described herein with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples may perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the present invention, are contemplated thereby, and are intended to be covered by the following claims.

Claims

1. A protective case for electronic devices or the like wherein the case comprises a top lid section pivotally joined to a lower base section, each of the top lid section and lower base section containing an exterior layer constructed from a rigid or semi-rigid material and a first interior layer constructed from an elastomer material.

2. The protective case of claim 1 wherein the top lid section and lower base section are removably connected by a latch mechanism.

3. The protective case of claim 3 wherein the latch mechanism comprises a magnet configured to secure a latch retainer adjacent to a latch anchor.

4. The protective case of claim 3 wherein said rigid or semi-rigid material is selected from Kydex, Vikalloy, carbon fiber, metal alloys, ABS plastic, hard rubber, ceramics, or resins.

5. The protective case of claim 4 wherein said elastomer material is selected from; impact absorbing foams, ARTiLAGE artificial cartilage foam, Poron XRD foam, other ARTiLAGE foams, Poron foams, silicone foams, rubber foams, plastic foams, elastic plastics, elastic silicone, elastic rubbers, or silicone rubbers.

6. The protective case of claim 2 further comprising a second interior layer configured with a recessed to accept an object such as an electronic device.

7. The protective case of claim 6 wherein the second interior layer contains silicone rubber.

8. The protective case of claim 7 further comprising a folder holder connected to the exterior layer.

9. The protective case of claim 8 wherein the folder holder 400 comprises gusseted accordion style sides configured to expand when receiving bulky items such as notebooks files and folders.

10. The protective case of claim 7 further comprising an accessary case removably connected to the exterior layer.

11. The protective case of claim 10 wherein the accessory case is removably connected to the exterior layer through a bayonet style mount comprising male attachment points and female attachment points.

12. The protective case of claim 2 further comprising a folder holder connected to the exterior layer.

13. The protective case of claim 12 wherein the folder holder comprises gusseted accordion style sides configured to expand when receiving bulky items such as notebooks files and folders.

14. The protective case of claim 13 wherein the folder holder further comprises an upper flap configured to fold over an opening within the folder holder.

15. The protective case of claim 2 further comprising an accessary case removably connected to the exterior layer.

16. The protective case of claim 15 wherein the accessory case is removably connected to the exterior layer through a bayonet style mount comprising male attachment points and female attachment points.